Released by Kyocera:
Editor's note: according to Kyocera UK these cameras will be available from Monday 9th February 2004
Introducing the ''CONTAX SL300R Digital Camera Equipped with the Carl Zeiss T* Lens and Image Processing System
''RTUNE''Bringing Together the High Picture Definition
Offered by the Carl Zeiss T* Lens and Kyocera's Proprietary
Image Processing Technology
(This
document was translated from the Japanese press
release.) November 27, 2003
Kyocera Corporation (President: Yasuo Nishiguchi) is pleased to
announce the release of ''CONTAX SL300R T*,'' the new 3.17 million
effective pixel compact digital camera in early December this year.
The camera is equipped with a Carl Zeiss T* Lens that boasts
outstanding picture definition and also features the ''RTUNE'' image
processing system that achieves both high-speed operations and high
resolution.
CONTAX SL300R T* (Body color: titanium. Above: When not in use, Below: When shooting)
The CONTAX SL300R T* is
equipped with the ''Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* 5.8-17.4mm
F2.8-4.7,''( *1) a 3x optical zoom lens developed by Carl Zeiss, and
provides clear image thanks to the T* coating applied to the lens
surface. The adoption of Kyocera¡Çs proprietary image processing
system ''RTUNE'' also enables full-memory, consecutive shooting at
around 3.5 frames/second and fine color gradation with a reduction
in noise. The 16-mm-thick full-flat body makes the camera highly
portable when not in use. Rotating the lens section for shooting
offers free choice of camera angles and easy framing. The
magnesium die-cast body also features easy-to-hold genuine leather
coverings on the front casing. A filter can be attached by using the
special hood and adapter on the front of the lens. (*1)
Equivalent to around 38-115mm on a 35-mm camera.
| Product name |
CONTAX SL300R T* |
| Body color |
Titanium |
| Scheduled release date |
Early December 2003 |
| Manufacturer's recommended retail
price |
Price set by outlet |
| Sales target (total domestic and overseas
sales) |
20,000 units/month |
| Standard set |
Camera, PC cable with USB connection, lithium-ion battery
pack, camera case, cleaner, AC adapter, hand strap, CD-ROM
(driver software and image management software), special hood,
filter adapter. |
Background to the development With
the growing number of digital camera users, the needs of users are
also becoming more individual and diverse. Against such a
backdrop, the development of this new digital camera represents a
totally new fusion between Kyocer's proprietary image processing
technology and Carl Zeiss optical technology. Whereas the CONTAX Tvs
Digital released in February this year is intended for a tool for
creating photos that faithfully reproduce the photographer's vision,
the CONTAX SL300R T* to be released this time will be introduced to
the market ''high-quality daily necessities'' that lets users
develop a closer affinity with photography as a portable
communication tool and experience the joy of high-definition and
high-speed performance.
Features of the product
1. Equipped with the 3x
Optical zoom lens, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* 5.8-17.4mm
F2.8-4.7 The CONTAX SL300R T* is equipped with a 3x
optical zoom lens for digital cameras, consisting
of six elements in six groups, including aspheric lenses, which was
developed using the latest Carl Zeiss optical technology. The lens
focal length ranges from 5.8 mm (wide-angle) to 17.4 mm (telephoto),
which corresponds to about 38-115 mm on a 35-mm camera, and achieves
outstanding color reproduction and rich color gradation.
Additionally, Carl Zeiss' special multi-layer T* coating
dramatically reduces flare or ghost imaging that are generally the
cause of poor resolution, and the result is clear, sharp images.
Plus, the 3x optical zoom can be used with the 2x digital zoom to
shoot at a maximum of 6x zoom. You can also use a digital zoom of up
to 8x when playing back images, so you can take a look at the images
you have taken.
2. Features the image processing system
''RTUNE'' High-speed, full-memory, consecutive
shooting The CONTAX SL300R T* is capable of
full-memory, consecutive shooting at around 3.5 frames/second at the
highest resolution. The liquid crystal monitor follows and displays
images in real-time during consecutive shooting. If it is difficult
to photograph the subject, such as children or pets with fleeting
expressions, or moving subjects at an athletics meet or in group
photograph with a number of people, taking consecutive photographs
enables you to select the best shots afterward. Kyocera proposes
this as a new way to take photos by making the most of the
advantages offered by digital cameras. * Full-memory consecutive
shooting means shooting successive images until the capacity of the
memory card is reached. It is available when using an SD memory card
with a transfer speed of at least 10 MB per second for high-speed
recording. (The consecutive shooting speed differs depending on the
shooting conditions, the camera settings and memory card status.
Free capacity may remain in the memory card, depending on images to
be photographed.)
Close to the fastest performance in the
industry The camera starts up in less than one second
and features a shutter time-lag of approximately 0.07 seconds,
giving the camera close to the fastest performance in the industry.
When you turn on the camera, you don't have to wait for it to be
ready, and when you take photographs, the camera responds when you
press the shutter, so you can seize the exact moment to take your
shots.
Images with a fine array of gradations The
high-speed processor of the image processing system, RTUNE, consists
of an analog front end and a digital processor. It first adjusts the
RGB color balance of the analog data received in the CCD at the
analog front end, and then converts it to a digital signal (A/D
conversion). The A/D conversion process provides 16-bit internal
conversion of the data and sends it as 12-bit digital data to the
next digital processor. The digital processor that receives the
digital data produces the final image data and outputs it at high
speed, creating low-noise digital data. By drastically reducing a
wide range of noise generated in the digital images, it is possible
to reproduce natural color and a fine array of gradations. To
reproduce clear images, the image pickup device of the CONTAX SL300R
T* uses a 1/2.7'' square pixel CCD with an original color filter,
featuring 3,340,000 pixels in total.
3. Easy framing is possible thanks to the ''Easy-Framing
Body'' with rotating lens section. This 16-mm-thick,
full-flat body boasts outstanding portability and can easily fit
into a breast pocket or bag. The camera has a lightweight, but
durable, magnesium die-cast body. The Easy-Framing Body with a
rotating lens section also allows you to find a comfortable position
to shoot in a wide variety of photographic situations. In macro
shooting where you may need to shoot at high or low angles, rotating
lens section enables framing at an angle that is easy to see on the
monitor.
4. Superfine, Smooth Recording Function for VGA Moving
Images with Audio The camera enables you to easily shoot
superfine, smooth moving images of VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) with
audio at 30 frames/second up to the maximum capacity of the memory
card(*2) The record file is in AVI format and you can play it
back easily on the liquid crystal monitor of the camera or a
personal computer. (To play back your moving images on a personal
computer, it is necessary to install QuickTime 4.1 or
later.) (*2) It is possible to shoot moving images up to the
maximum capacity of the memory card when using an SD memory card
with a recording speed of at least 10 MB per second for high-speed
recording. (The shooting time differs depending on the shooting
conditions, camera settings and memory card status.)
5. A Scene Mode Facilitates the Photographic Settings
According to the Situation The camera incorporates a
scene mode that enables the camera to make the most suitable
photographic settings according to the situation, based on seven
predefined settings. They are: Standard, Sport, Portrait, Night
View, Night View Portrait, Macro and Distant View. Each of the
settings can be easily selected using the scene button.
6. A Function for Setting a Customized Start Screen
Consisting of Your Favorite Image The camera
incorporates a function for setting a customized start screen that
allows you to set an image you have photographed. The image appears
whenever you turn on the power. If you use your favorite photo of
yourself, your family or your pet, you can have special affection
for the camera as belonging only to you.
7. A Function to Resize Your Photos for Easy Handling
It is possible to reduce the size of an image to 320 x
240 pixels or 160 x 120 pixels after it has been taken, and store it
so that it can be handled via e-mail or by a portable terminal such
as a PDA. You can select the new image size of the photos from three
options, whole image, quarter area and one-sixteenth area. Using
this function in combination with a PDA that incorporates an SD
memory card slot allows you to easily create an image size suitable
for the liquid crystal screen of the PDA.
8. Special hood included. Filter
attachable. The CONTAX SL300R T* also comes with a
special lens hood to be fitted to the front of the lens. A filter
adapter is also included so that any commercially available 28-mm
filter can be attached. When a filter is attached, you can see the
effects of the filter directly on the liquid crystal monitor, which
makes taking photos even more fun.
Additional Information
Using the CONTAX SL300R T* with a personal
computer
Windows
requirements: OS: Preinstalled with Microsoft Windows
98, Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP
Home Edition or Professional. Performance is not guaranteed if these
operating systems are upgraded. 64MB memory or more, USB terminal
and CD-ROM drive. For Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE, a
USB driver will need to be installed. The USB driver is included on
the CD-ROM that comes with your camera.
Macintosh requirements: OS: Preinstalled with
MacOS9.0 to 9.2 or OS X v.10.3 (excluding the OS X server).
Performance is not guaranteed if these operating systems are
upgraded. USB terminal and CD-ROM drive.
* Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and other countries. * QuickTime, Macintosh and
Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. in the
United States. * Other company names and product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
Optional accessories
| Product name |
Model |
Recommended retail price (plus
tax) |
Release date |
SD/MMC reader (USB
interface) Components: 1) Reader body 2) USB
cable (1 m) 3) Driver software CD-ROM Windows
98/Me/2000/XP (not compatible with NT) MacOS8.6 USB
Version 1.33f2 or later (compatible with OS X)
|
SDR-1 |
5,800 yen |
Now on sale |
| Lithium-ion battery pack |
BP-780S |
4,500 yen |
Now on sale | * All prices in this press
release exclude consumption tax.
Main Specifications of the CONTAX SL300R T*
| Camera type |
Digital still camera with record, playback, and
erase modes |
| Recording media/ recording method |
SD memory card/MMC (Multi Media Card), in compliance with
DCF (*Note 1) (Exif Ver 2.2), in compliance with JPEG, DPOF
compatible (*Note 2) |
| Effective pixels |
3,170,000 pixels |
| Image pickup device |
1/2.7" square pixel original color filter interlace
reading system CCD (total number of pixels: 3,340,000) |
| Still image sizes |
2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 |
Image quality
|
Two levels, F (fine) and N (normal) |
| Moving image sizes |
640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120 |
| Moving image frame rate |
15 frames/second, 30 frames/second |
| Lens |
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* Zoom Lens (six elements in six
groups), Focal length: 5.8-17.4mm (equivalent to around
38-115 mm on 35-mm camera) Brightness: F2.8-4.7
|
| Electric zoom |
x1.3, x1.6, x2.0 |
| Focal adjustment |
Video feedback auto focus (wide AF or spot AF switchable)
and manual focus settings possible |
| Range of shooting |
Approximately 60 cm to infinity from the front of the
cover glass, approximately 20 to 60 cm in macro (with fixed
wide-angle parameters) |
| Exposure control |
| - Control method |
Programmed AE, aperture priority AE |
| - Light metering system |
Can be selected from three modes: Evaluative metering,
center-weighted metering, spot metering system |
| - Metering link range |
LV6 to LV16 |
| - Exposure compensation |
+2.0EV to -2.0EV (1/3 increments) |
| - Aperture |
Fixed (f2.8, f7.5*), auto * f-stop converted for
brightness |
| Shutter |
Using both CCD electronic shutter and programmed
electronic shutter with independent aperture control, 1 second
to 1/2000 second, can be set from one of 2 seconds, 4 seconds
and 8 seconds due to the long exposure mode |
| White balance |
Auto, sunlight, incandescent light, cloudy weather,
fluorescent, preset |
| Color modes |
Color, monochrome, sepia |
| Sharpness |
+3 to -1 (5 levels) |
| Color saturation |
+, 0, - (3 levels) |
| Sensitivity setting |
AUTO, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800 equivalent |
| Liquid crystal monitor |
1.5" 118,000-pixel TFT color liquid crystal monitor
featuring a dual transmission and reflection system *
Liquid crystal brightness is adjustable, and backlight can be
switched ON/OFF.
|
| Flash |
Built-in system,shooting range (for sensitivity setting at
AUTO): approx. 60 cm to 2.5 m (in the wide mode), approx. 60
cm to 1.8 m (in the telephoto mode) |
| Flash mode |
(1) Auto flash, (2) Auto flash for red-eye reduction, (3 )
Flash disabled, (4) Fill-in flash, (5) Fill-in flash for
red-eye reduction (only when set at the long exposure) |
| Scene mode |
(1) Standard mode, (2) Sport mode, (3) Portrait mode, (4)
Night view mode, (5) Night view portrait mode, (6) Macro mode,
(7) Distant view mode |
| Moving image recording mode |
File format: AVI, can be selected from with or without
audio |
| Moving image recording time |
Up to full capacity of the memory card (When using an SD
memory card with a transfer speed of at least 10 MB per second
for high-speed recording. Free capacity may remain in the
memory card, depending on the shooting
conditions.) Playable environment in personal computer:
QuickTime 4.1 or later (Windows, Macintosh)
|
| Other shooting modes |
Long exposure mode (can be selected from Off, 2 seconds, 4
seconds or 8 seconds), self timer mode (can be selected from 2
seconds or 10 seconds), manual focus setting, on/off switch
for REC review, on/off switch for electronic zoom |
| Consecutive shooting |
Approximately 3.5 frames/second, up to full capacity of
the memory card (When using an SD memory card with a
recording speed of at least 10 MB per second for high-speed
recording. Free capacity may remain in the memory card,
depending on the shooting conditions. It differs depending on
the shooting conditions, camera settings and memory card
status)
|
| After-recording for still image |
Up to 30 seconds for one image |
| Resize |
Images can be reduced to a size of 320 x 240 or 160 x 120.
The area to be resized can be selected. File format:
JPEG |
| Playback mode |
Multi image display (six images), single display,
after-recording (audio memo for still image), protect, erase
(single image), erase all images, rotate, slide show, resize,
DPOF setting, close-up playback, thumbnail playback, playback
of moving images shot by this camera, information
display |
| Setup function |
AF mode (SAF, CAF), brightness adjustment of the liquid
crystal, backlight adjustment, date setting, date insertion,
card format, auto power-off setting, mode lock, shutter
sound/operational sound setting, language selection (Japanese,
English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese), video output
switch (NTSC, PAL), consecutive file number reset, setting
reset, change of selected color, start screen selection,
on/off switch for REC review |
| nput/output terminal |
DC input (using a dedicated AC adapter), USB terminal
(mini-B) |
| Power source |
3.7V lithium-ion battery 780 mAh, Dedicated AC
adapter
|
| Number of images that can be taken |
Approximately 100 images* * When using the attached new
lithium-ion battery, at room temperature, based on the Kyocera
measurement standards: 50% flash, 2048 x 1536, normal image
quality
|
| Dimensions |
100 mm width x 62.5 mm height x 16 mm depth, excluding
protrusions |
| Weight |
Approximately 125g, excluding battery and the recording
media |
| Operating temperature |
0 - 45 degrees Celsius (no
condensation) | * Note 1: DCF is an
abbreviation of the Design rule for Camera File system, the standard
of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries
Association (JEITA). The standard is intended to facilitate the
use of image files primarily of digital cameras in related
equipment. * Note 2: DPOF is an abbreviation of Digital Print
Order Format established by the companies, Canon Inc., Eastman Kodak
Company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., and Matsushita Electric
Industrial Co., Ltd. This standard is for recording specific
information from images taken by digital camera, such as printed
images and number of images, in recording media.
Estimated number of images to be shot and recording
pixels (When shooting only in the same mode with a 16-MB
SD memory card)
Camera mode, consecutive shooting mode
| Number of pixels |
Image compression ratio |
File capacity(*1) |
Number of images to be saved in the
memory card |
| 2048 x 1536 |
F (Fine) |
Approximately 1.6 MB |
Approximately 9 images |
| N (Normal) |
Approximately 800 KB |
Approximately 18 images |
| 1600 x 1200 |
F (Fine) |
Approximately 1.0 MB |
Approximately 15 images |
| N (Normal) |
Approximately 500 KB |
Approximately 30 images |
| 1280 x 960 |
F (Fine) |
Approximately 600 KB |
Approximately 23 images |
| N (Normal) |
Approximately 300 KB |
Approximately 46 images |
| 640 x 480 |
F (Fine) |
Approximately 160 KB |
Approximately 90 images |
| N (Normal) |
Approximately 70 KB |
Approximately 170
images |
Moving image mode
| Number of pixels |
Frame rate (Number of frames of moving
images recorded in one second) |
Time(*2) |
| 640 x 480(*3) |
15 fps |
12 seconds |
| 30 fps |
6 seconds |
|
320 x 240(*3)
|
15 fps |
48 seconds |
| 30 fps |
24 seconds
|
| 160 x 120 |
15 fps |
173 seconds |
| 30 fps |
90 seconds | (*1) It differs depending on
the subject. This is only the estimated capacity. (*2) When
shooting with audio until the full capacity of the memory card is
used. It differs depending on the subject. This is only an estimated
value. (*3) It may not be able to record for the above time
unless an SD memory card with a recording speed of at least 10 MB
per second for high-speed recording is used.
www.kyocera.com |
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